After 148 years, Knoxville’s Mayo Garden Center is closing both locations due to a lack of generational succession.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn — Founded in 1878, one of Knoxville’s oldest family businesses is preparing to close its last two locations in West Knox County for good.
The Mayo Garden Center started out as more or less a grocery store on Gay Street, according to Mayo’s current owner, Elizabeth Cox. Cox is the fifth generation to run the garden center.
“And we’ve evolved for 148 years,” Cox said. “We’ve sold a little bit of everything, obviously everything to do with your garden … but over the years we’ve just had to evolve and change.”
On Wednesday and Thursday, the store is hosting a private sale for first dibs on deals. The sale opens to the public at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 13.
From plants to patio furniture — shoppers packed the aisles at Mayo Garden Center on the first day of its private closing sale.
“We have loved serving the Knoxville community for almost 150 years, but we made the decision for a lot of reasons,” Cox said. “We needed some infrastructure changes. The business has been doing well. It was a totally a family decision, and truthfully, there is not a sixth generation that wants to take over.”
The closing sale brought in a steady stream of customers hoping to find deals and say goodbye. Marjie Snell said she’s shopped at the store for 10 years, and she encouraged others to stop by before it’s too late.
“Recliners, chairs and tables for the deck. They’ve got very quality stuff, and if you’re looking for something that’s good, then come,” Snell said.
Julie McKnight said she was a first-time shopper hoping to score some deals. She said she was surprised by the number of people shopping, and she encouraged people to bring a buddy to wait with them.
“I’m here shopping, looking for a gas grill. I’m hoping to find some Adirondack chairs, but hoping to find a great deal on them,” McKnight said.
McKnight also said she’s disappointed to see the loss of another Knoxville business.
“I was disappointed. I feel like we’re losing a lot of our staple stores here with McKay’s closing and Mayo, and we lost Long’s drugstore a few years ago. I think all of us Knoxvillians are sad about it,” McKnight said.
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Cox said the community response has been overwhelming to see. She said people were lined up out in the parking lot and down the side of the building ahead of the private sale opening on Wednesday. Cox said the Knoxville community means a lot to her family.
“It has made me feel very good about how much Mayo has meant to our community and how many people wanted to come say goodbye to us, so I really appreciate that. We really loved being part of Knoxville, and our family has enjoyed meeting all the families that live here, and it’s been our pleasure to serve you,” Cox said.
Right now, there is no official date for when Mayo Garden Center will close, according to Cox.
She said she expects it will take at least through May to sell everything. Cox said this is also the perfect time of year to start shopping for your home and garden, so this closeout sale is coming at a good time.
“The prices are the best that they’ve ever been, and truthfully, there’s a lot of things on sale that never go on sale. … (so) come in, buy and get everything that you need to make your yard pretty,” Cox said.
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